An Experience in Diversity

Welcome to Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness. Formed by the Madison River as it cuts through the Madison Range, the Bear Trap offers raging rapids, solitude, outstanding recreational opportunities and magnificent scenery. The 1 . 500-foot cliffs that border the canyon serve as a scenic backdrop for wilderness activities such as white-water floating, hiking, bankside or float fishing, studying nature and just enjoying the canyon's beauty and grandeur.

Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness, a unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, is the first component of the National Wil- derness Preservation System to be managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Its 6,000 acres are being managed to protect its solitude and natural values while allowing for primitive forms of recreation.

Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness is one of four units of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The four units and addresses where you can get additional information are listed below:

BEAR TRAP CANYON

Butte District Office Bureau of Land Management P.O. Box 3388 Butte, MT 59702 (406) 494-5059

Dillon Resource Area Bureau of Land Management P.O.Box 1048 Dillon, MT 59725 (406) 683-2337

SPANISH PEAKS

Bozeman Ranger District Gallatin National Forest 601 Nikles Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 587-5271, Ext. 4261

TAYLOR HILGARD

Madison Ranger District Beaverhead National Forest Rt. 2, Box 5 Ennis. MT 59729 (406) 682-4253

MONUMENT MOUNTAINS

Hebgen Lake Ranger District Gallatin National Forest P.O. Box 520

West Yellowstone, MT 59758 (406) 646-7369

<0

©■0$«f

cop: o^

<£■<</ a, <*

g °

Bear Trap

Canyon

Wilderness

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE

BEAR TRAP? ? ?

How's the fishing?

The Madison River offers some of the finest trout fish- ing in Montana. However, the water in the Bear Trap Canyon runs directly out of Ennis Lake where the shal- low water of the lake is warmed by the summer sun. In late summer and fall the warmer water is not ideal for trout and they tend to move further downstream. The BLM in conjunction with the Montana Power Company; Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and interested conservation groups is trying to find a solu- tion to this problem.

How do I get into the Bear Trap?

Floaters use the south entrance near Montana Power's electric generating plant. Other visitors use the north entrance where plenty of parking is available. The hiking trail at the south entrance near the power plant has been closed. Because it is restricted by the steep canyon walls, the trail passes through the powerplant's emergency overflow chute. In case of emergency elec- trical generator shutdown, a torrent of water can be released down the chute with little warning. Due to this safety hazard, possible dangers around the generating facilities, and a need to avoid interference with Montana Power Company operations; visitors should not use this portion of the trail.

What other dangers are found in the Bear Trap Canyon?

The rapids in the narrow canyon can be very dangerous depending on water levels. The most famous, the Kit- chen Sink Rapids, has claimed the lives of several float- ers. All floaters should check flow conditions before attempting to float the Bear Trap.

There are also dangers along the shores. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes and poison ivy.

Why can't I bring pets or pack animals into the Bear Trap?

There just isn't enough room in the narrow Bear Trap Canyon for large animals. The forage is limited and easily damaged. In addition grazing animals brought in from other areas can introduce nonnative plants and noxious weeds.

How can I keep the Bear Trap the beautiful place it is?

Since the Bear Trap is primarily a day use area, please plan to camp overnight in camp areas north of the canyon. These areas provide water, tables, barbeques, and toilets. Visitors who want to camp in the wilderness should choose other larger areas of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. This brochure also lists other ways to pro- tect the wilderness.

What is the visitor survey all about?

The BLM wants to know how you liked the Bear Trap. By gathering visitor information, the BLM can better man- age the area.

PROTECTING YOUR WILDERNESS

w I

L D E R

Water

—Prevent pollution by keeping soap, ashes and

human wastes out of the water

—Pack out, burn or bury fish entrails away from

water.

Intelligent Planning

—Select areas not heavily used —Visit areas at little used times and during off sea- son —Anticipate possible emergencies and be prepared

Leave horses, mules and pets at home

—The area is too small and fragile to permit riding or

pack stock

—Pets disrupt other's solitude

Don't spoil others experience

—Keep noise down —Travel in small parties —Don't litter

Exercise caution with fire

—Use only dead and down firewood

— Scatter fire rings after use

—Limit smoking to safe areas; burn or pack out

cigarette butts

—Make sure fires are dead out

Remove human traces

—Don't bury cans and bottles

—Remove all signs of temporary structures

E S

S

No Motorized Machinery

— The use of motorized machinery is illegal in all wilderness

Enjoy natural objects but leave them for others

—Leave cultural materials, rocks, flowers, antlers, etc.

Sanitation

—Use cat method for human waste disposal

—At least 1 00 ft. from water or a trail

— Dig hole 6-8" deep; remove sod in 1 piece

—After use fill hole and replace sod

— Soil bacteria will take care of decomposition

Self-regulation

—Remember: preservation of the wilderness is up to you

—Don't cut live trees —Don't ditch around tents —Keep on the trail — Avoid trampling down vegetation —Think "No Impact"

3% ?8d^/<?^

Bear Trap Canyon

Wilderness

8LM LIBRARY

88049192

United States Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management

38'

39'

111-40'

41*

42'

43'

44'

111M5'

46'

47'

R. 1 W.

R. 1 E.

Bozeman 30 miles

45' 35

34'

33'

32'

3V

45° 30'

29' -

28'

27'

45° 35'

T.3S.

34'

33'

32'

31'

45" 30'

T.4S.

29'

- 28'

27'

R. 1 W.

R. 1 E.

BEAR TRAP CANYON

LEE METCALF WILDERNESS

BUTTE DISTRICT

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Wilderness Boundary ■ Dam

■ Power House • Put In or Take Out Point ▼ Trail Head -. — -. Trail

Primitive Road ===== Light-duty - - Medium-duty

I I Beartrap Canyon Unit of the

Lee Metcalf Wilderness

B Public

D Forest Service

D State

LJ Private

Polyconic promotion

This map was cmpiled from

Ennis and Noms Topographic Maps

0 V4 Vs 3/4 1 2 miles

Scale 1"to 1 Mile CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET DATUM MEAN SEA LEVEL

38'

39'

41'

42'

43'

44'

111*45'

46'

47'